Glen Ellyn police chief avoids demotion

December 09, 2008

Phil Norton will remain as police chief in Glen Ellyn after two trustees changed their minds on a controversial plan to demote him over allegations of personal misconduct involving another village department head.

That reversal, announced during a two-hour meeting on the issue Monday night before a packed room of residents and business owners, was enough for Norton, a 22-year veteran of the Glen Ellyn police force who has been chief since 2001, to keep his position.

Trustees in a 4-1 vote rejected a joint recommendation by Village President Vicky Hase and Village Manager Steve Jones to demote Norton, 46, to his sworn rank of sergeant.

"I was very overwhelmed and heartened by the public support," Norton said. "I'm proud of the Village Board and to live in a community like Glen Ellyn."

Glen Ellyn's director of planning and development, Staci Hulseberg, still faces demotion to staff planner as part of the same misconduct allegations. As village manager, Jones has the right to demote Hulseberg, 40, without board action. On Tuesday, Jones declined to comment on the board's Monday vote or on his plans for Hulseberg.

Since August, the Village Board has been discussing the allegations against Norton and Hulseberg.

However, the allegations never had actually been made public until Monday night, when Village Atty. Stewart Diamond noted that Norton and Hulseberg, who are married to other people, had had what he called "excessive workplace interaction" and had sent each other large numbers of text messages, which had cost the village more than $1,000.

The inquiry into the pair's conduct was initiated after Hulseberg's husband, Lombard Village Manager David Hulseberg, notified Jones.

On Monday, Trustees Michelle Thorsell and James Comerford both changed their minds on whether to demote Norton, citing compelling arguments made by the many residents and business owners who praised the pair's work ethic and effectiveness.